INDIANAPOLIS — An amazing new exhibition of Native bead art, Radical Stitch, opens Saturday April 12 at the Eiteljorg and continues through August 3. It will feature more than 100 works of intricate beadwork by Indigenous artists from across North America. Radical Stitch is an international traveling exhibition and the Eiteljorg is its only U.S. stop. Opening-day events on Saturday April 12 include a guided gallery tour, panel discussion and an art demonstration.
Introduced into North America in the early 1800s as trade goods, glass beads became an artistic medium for generations of Native artists, whose limitless creativity expanded beadwork far beyond adornment of textiles into an innovative art form encompassing historic cultural traditions and contemporary expressions. The co-curators of Radical Stitch selected artworks that represent thematic strands of today’s Native / Indigenous bead art — including pop culture references, current issues such as food sovereignty, and Indigenous Futurism, artworks that re-envision the past, present and future through a sometimes sci-fi lens.
Artists whose works are celebrated in Radical Stitch represent distinct geographies and life experiences that shape their bead art practices. Sever of the artists are also past recipients of the Eiteljorg Contemporary Fellowship and the museum has other examples of their bead art in its permanent collections.
There will be several opening day events, including a public gallery talk from 10:30-noon, and an artist demonstration of bead art from 3:30-4:30 p.m.
The Eiteljorg is open Mon.-Sat. from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sun. noon- 5 p.m. The museum is located at 500 W. Washington St. Admission is $20 for adults, $16 for seniors, and $12 for youth 5-17 years old. It is a cash free building. Visit eiteljorg.org or call 217-636-9378 for more information and this and other exhibits.
